stitchface

we're expecting snow tomorrow raisin - of course, it was supposed to snow yesterday too. we have the problem of no moisture but its plenty humid today. we are going to be in SD for the WBC next weekend though so that is what I was referring to. Right now, they are predicting the system to stay north of Phoenix with a chance of showers for SD on the 18th. We'll see.

this is why I think the tourney schedule sucks. great, so Iowa squeaks by an exhausted MSU. The tourney is meaningless IMO. how many 50-45 games do we want to see?

hopefully this isn't based on 2.1 spring training innings as the article seems to imply.

hate to say it Abuck but the weather pattern seems to have shifted south. another system moving into the southwest next week for you (and me) - hopefully its not as strong.

those are long blocks but definitely opt for free street parking.

We usually go over to Fitch Park before the game to watch the minor leaguers practice. I don't remember there being any batting practice.

lets hope the US beats south africa.

Or by giving up 8 runs to South Africa. nope, those don't matter - the tiebreaker only applies to the teams involved in the tie.

Canada is out by virtue of giving up that grand slam to varitek.

Selig is now in can't win position really. I think most of the public believes Bonds is guilty and most believe McGwire and sosa are just as guilty. As a result, inaction hurts the game. However, he has no proof and even if he did, steroids were not against the rules. He has no basis to suspend bonds because bonds did not break the rules. Perhaps they can negotiate a career-ending injury that results in no further investigation by baseball, ensures everyone a HOF vote, and protects the homerun record.

unless this one goes extras . . . If they tie or Canada wins, then Mexico would only have 1 win. Mexico's already scored enough so that we only need to win if they hold on. This game doesn't matter anymore to the US. how many innings before its a tie? the tiebreaker is runs/inning - not just runs. The tiebreaker doesn't matter if those 2 tie, and Mexico has scored many more than the original 3 needed. I realize they now have nine, but had mexico won 3-2 in extra innings, the US would have been out because the tiebreaker is runs per inning, not just runs. the three runs they needed assumed a 9 inning game.

unless this one goes extras . . . If they tie or Canada wins, then Mexico would only have 1 win. Mexico's already scored enough so that we only need to win if they hold on. This game doesn't matter anymore to the US. how many innings before its a tie? the tiebreaker is runs/inning - not just runs.

unless this one goes extras . . .

should be fun - always tough to beat a good time three times and twice in a week.

You have to take that in context. He was talking about the Rockies 9-ball league. Aren't they called pockets in 9-ball?

Not if it is at the expense of drawing BBs. Pierre doesn't draw walks. Yes, I would like to see him draw walks but I think the idea of him trying to hit for power would be fruitless and would make him a worse offensive player. davhern is taking the statement out of context - in Pierre's case, it certainly is true. to me the argument TT is making is akin to simply wishing Pierre was a better hitter.

Offensive value and power are not mutually exclusive. His offensive value lies in his ability in getting basehits, not striking out, stealing bases and scoring runs Yes, but in his quest to not strike out, he loses power. The power is much more valuable than the ability to not strike out. By taking a "contact at all costs" approach, he limits the player he could be. he loses power, which he probably wouldn't have much anyway, and gains obp. in this case, I think the increase in OBP is worth the loss of power. its not like he'd be adam dunn if he struck out more. I can't see his OBP dropping much if at all by just trying to make more solid contact all the time. First of all, I'm not talking about just hacking away with two strikes, I'm talking about getting his pitch and driving it, not just trying to put the ball in play and run. Furthermore, with the amount of weak contact he makes in all counts because of his approach, He's not losing a bunch of singles to gain the doubles and triples. Of course he's not going to become Adam Dunn, but he'd be better, and that's better for us. Why is it ok for you to ignore the fact that his obp would drop if he struck out more? Maybe because that's not a fact? absolutely its a fact. the more balls put in play, the higher his BA, the higher his OBP. that's undeniable.

"We don't have any glaring holes." - Clint Hurdle in Denver Post last week.

unless they want to eliminate the US - tough to win scoring fewer than 3 though. I think the US will be ok.

Offensive value and power are not mutually exclusive. His offensive value lies in his ability in getting basehits, not striking out, stealing bases and scoring runs Yes, but in his quest to not strike out, he loses power. The power is much more valuable than the ability to not strike out. By taking a "contact at all costs" approach, he limits the player he could be. he loses power, which he probably wouldn't have much anyway, and gains obp. in this case, I think the increase in OBP is worth the loss of power. its not like he'd be adam dunn if he struck out more. I can't see his OBP dropping much if at all by just trying to make more solid contact all the time. First of all, I'm not talking about just hacking away with two strikes, I'm talking about getting his pitch and driving it, not just trying to put the ball in play and run. Furthermore, with the amount of weak contact he makes in all counts because of his approach, He's not losing a bunch of singles to gain the doubles and triples. Of course he's not going to become Adam Dunn, but he'd be better, and that's better for us. Why is it ok for you to ignore the fact that his obp would drop if he struck out more?

Offensive value and power are not mutually exclusive. His offensive value lies in his ability in getting basehits, not striking out, stealing bases and scoring runs Yes, but in his quest to not strike out, he loses power. The power is much more valuable than the ability to not strike out. By taking a "contact at all costs" approach, he limits the player he could be. he loses power, which he probably wouldn't have much anyway, and gains obp. in this case, I think the increase in OBP is worth the loss of power. its not like he'd be adam dunn if he struck out more.

I am starting to believe the only clean end to this is banishing mcgwire, sosa, bonds etc from baseball and the record books. of course, no one seems to be able to prove anything. If one of these guys wants to be a hero and keeps kids off steroids, they need to come forward and admit their wrong and face the punishment. The idea of bonds playing mlb baseball again has become a farce - the game will have no integrity if he continues to play. bud has a major problem on his hands perhaps rivaling the throwing of games early in this century.

frankly, I don't care too much about his power. the cubs need pierre on base - and since he doesn't draw walks, he needs to make contact to be on-base.

no, you could have a day between games. The short turnaround affects the quality of the final games.

why does the big ten tourney start so late? Why not start tuesday or wednesday and give teams a chance to breathe?